Lighthouse Boatyard

The Town of Ponce Inlet can trace its origins back to the sleepy fishing village of Pons Park Renowned for its scenic beauty and excellent angling opportunities, Mosquito (now Ponce) Inlet quickly grew into one of East Florida's most popular fishing destinations.

Home to numerous fishing camps and resorts, Ponce Inlet became synonymous with fresh seafood which could be purchased right off of the boat at any one of the area's many docks. Many of the fish camps located along the banks of the Halifax River became local landmarks including the Inlet Harbor Fish Camp, Timmons Fish Camp, and Myers Fish Camp, established in 1945 by former lighthouse keeper Edward Meyers.

Ponce Inlet charter boat captains were highly regarded for both their intimate knowledge of the treacherous waters in and around the Inlet as well as their ability to put their customers on the fish. One of Ponce Inlet's most well-known resident skippers was long time resident and charter boat captain Redwood Wharton. A former Coast Guardsman, Captain Wharton opened the Inlet Harbor Fish Camp on the Halifax River in 1944. An accomplished fishermen, Redwood Wharton led offshore fishing excursions from the deck of his beautiful charter boat the Gay Wind. Built in St. Augustine in 1939, the Gay Wind would continue to ply the waters of the Halifax River, Ponce Inlet, and Atlantic Ocean until Captain Wharton's retirement in 1999. The well-known fishing vessel was donated to the museum in 2000.

Located beneath a wide shed alongside the Gay Wind are two unique and thought-provoking watercraft of a far less elegant design. Cobbled together from what many would consider bits and pieces of scrap lumber, canvas, foam, and automotive parts lie two small rafts that were once used by refugees attempting to escape communist Cuba.

Discovered washed up on the beach in Volusia County in 1989, the first of these small rafts may have been used by a family based on the existence of children's clothing. A water bottle, small mast, and other assorted objects were found within the vessel. An orange life preserver tied to the mast indicates that the occupants were rescued by the Coast Guard while at sea.

The second raft, discovered in 1994 is constructed from little more than inner-tubes, foam boards, and scrap lumber. The fate of its former occupants is unknown. Both craft are a poignant reminders of the what many have endured to escape persecution and win their freedom.